Freestanding Impact Bag Base

ABSTRACT

A modular weighted base for a freestanding impact bag, equipped with access doors providing access to an interior of the base to facilitate the addition or subtraction of weight to increase the mobility of the unit. The base is preferably equipped with anchors configured to enable a user to affix one or more resistance bands to the base, providing a means for performing additional exercises with the base when weights are installed. An impact bag is removably affixed atop the base. Weights removably disposed within the base stabilize the impact bag for use by a user, preventing the unit from tipping over, or recoiling to injure the user.

CONTINUITY

This application is a non-provisional application of provisional patent application No. 63/218,521, filed on Jul. 6, 2021, and priority is claimed thereto.

FIELD OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention relates to fitness equipment, and more specifically, fitness equipment employed to practice martial arts, boxing, and other physical impact sports through the use of a freestanding base for an impact bag. The base is configured to be mobile such that stabilizing weights may easily be added or removed as needed.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Impact bags, such as full-sized punching bags, are known to provide a great workout to users wishing to build muscle while maintaining a high heart rate. An assortment of impact bags are present on the market, the best workout comes from full sized, weighted bags. Many of these bags are conventionally suspended from a chain anchored to the ceiling; however, this arrangement is not always possible. Additionally, installing an impact bag in a suspended fashion means that the bag cannot be moved and used elsewhere.

Large (body-sized) impact bags exist on the market which are configured to be freestanding such that they rest atop a weighted base. While technically movable, the base of these impact bags are, by necessity, very heavy in order to offset the impacts of the users feet and fists during use, and maintain stability. Additionally, these weighted bases of conventional upright freestanding impact bags are single-purpose as well as cumbersome, as they are relegated solely to impact-based exercises. If there were an impact bag base which could incorporate additional features while remaining easier to move, the functionality of the apparatus would be increased, and the ease of use (including movement-at-will) of the apparatus would be better.

While small and portable weighted bags are available on the market, such as “speed bags” or “speed balls,” these devices are limited in scope, and do not offer adequate resistance for prolonged training. Instead, these devices are configured to rebound quickly, and are often configured to be suspended. Unlike the impact bags configured to be used with a weighted base, these smaller punching bags are primarily configured to train the user to keep his or her hands up and increase hand-eye coordination of the user. If there were a way in which a large impact bag could exhibit the portability of a smaller bag, while adding additional functionality, users could own less equipment while achieving a greater range of exercises and maintaining the ability to move the apparatus with ease by removing weighted units from the base.

Thus, there is a need for a new form of base for a freestanding upright punching bag or impact bag which is configured to enable the owner/user to add or remove weight as needed. Such a base is preferably equipped with additional functionality pertaining to exercise routines, such as mounts to facilitate the attachment of resistance bands.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention is a multi-purpose weighted base for an upright impact bag. The apparatus is configured to be modular such that a user may add or remove weight to or from the base in order to tailor the desired overall weight of the weighted base, as well as to facilitate moving of the base upon removal of all weights from the base. The apparatus is equipped with a housing having an interior which is configured to be filled with weighted units such as sandbags, water, rocks, or similar weighted bodies. The interior is accessible via one or more access doors disposed on sides of the housing. The doors are preferably configured to open about at least one hinge or via a sliding mechanism.

Additional features are preferably present on an exterior of the housing, which include, but are not limited to “D-Rings” or similarly styled mounting points to which a user may affix one or more resistance bands to facilitate the performance of resistance based exercises with help of the weighted base of the present invention.

These together with still other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

The following brief and detailed descriptions of the drawings are provided to explain possible embodiments of the present invention but are not provided to limit the scope of the present invention as expressed herein this summary section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate the present invention and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention.

The present invention will be better understood with reference to the appended drawing sheets, wherein:

FIG. 1 exhibits the present invention from the front, detached from a punching bag.

FIG. 2 shows the present invention mounted to a conventional punching bag from the front, with the doors of the base opened for access.

FIG. 3 exhibits a flow chart detailing the process of use of the present invention.

FIG. 4 depicts a top-down view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention, exhibiting removable pie slice-shaped weighted units disposed within the housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present specification discloses one or more embodiments that incorporate the features of the invention. The disclosed embodiment(s) merely exemplify the invention. The scope of the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment(s).

References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment, Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

The present invention is a weighted base apparatus configured for use with a freestanding upright impact bag. The preferred embodiment of the present invention exhibits a housing (10) which is preferably equipped with a circular bottom (20) which is larger in diameter than a generally circular top portion (30). The top portion (30) is configured to be securely affixed to a conventional impact bag such as those commonly used in boxing, kick-boxing, krav maga, and similar kicking and punching training disciplines. The impact bag is preferably affixed to the top portion (30) conventionally at a central mounting location (90).

The housing (10) is equipped with an interior (40) and an exterior (50). The interior (40) is preferably hollow, and is accessible via at least one access door (60) disposed on the exterior (50) of the housing (10). The at least one access door (60) facilitates placement of weighted units (70) to be disposed within the interior (40) of the housing (10) in order to provide adequate stability of the present invention during impact by a user. The weighted units (70) may be something provided by the user, such as multiple small sand bags, water bags, plates, dumbells, or similar conventional weights. In other embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus, when purchased, includes the weighted units (70), or at the least, empty bags which may be filled by the end user with sand or water. Further, in other embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 4 , the present invention may be equipped with weighted units (70) which are pie slice-shaped. The pie slice-shaped weighted units (70) are preferably configured to combine within the housing (10) to form a complete circular weight approximately the size of the housing (10) itself, offering a balanced and complete weighted solution to counter impacts.

It is envisioned that approximately 180 to 200 pounds of weight in the form of the weighted units (70) is preferably required in order to attain the requisite amount of stability needed for the apparatus to function correctly without tipping over during use. This weight may be increased to 250-275 pounds for impact bags of a higher weight. Removal of all weighted units (70) from the interior (40) of the housing (10) makes it easy to move and store the apparatus when desired, unlike conventional impact bag bases. The at least one access door (60) may be equipped with a small handle to ensure ease of opening. A magnetic or friction-based clasp may be disposed on the at least one access door (60) to ensure that the at least one access door (60) remains closed when not in use.

The exterior (50) of the base of the present invention is preferably equipped with at least one mount (80) configured to facilitate the attachment of accessories conducive to additional workout exercises. The at least one mount (80) is preferably a ring of metal, and may be capable of opening similar to that of a D-ring or clasp. Accessories envisioned to make use of the at least one mount (80) include, but are not limited to assorted resistance bands which conventionally require a sturdy, immobile location to which the user may pull the bands. Often, without such a mount, users conventionally stand on the resistance band to provide footing for these exercises, however this can cause dangerous recoil of the user is not careful. The at least one mount (80) of the present invention removes this recoil danger, and enables the user to perform resistance-based exercises with one or more resistance bands with minimal fear of injury. The metal of the at least one mount (80) is preferably a reinforced steel alloy to prevent breakage under stress.

The process of use of the apparatus of the present invention by a user, as seen in FIG. 3 , is preferably as follows:

-   -   1. First the user unpacks the apparatus from the present         invention from shipping packaging and ensures all components are         present. (100)     -   2. Next, the user moves the apparatus of the present invention         to a desired location for use. (110) Movement of the apparatus         is easy as weights are not yet disposed within the interior of         the unit.     -   3. Then, the user opens the at least one access door on the         exterior of the housing of the apparatus. (120)     -   4. Next, the user fills multiple bags with weighted material         such as water, sand, stones, etc. to create the weighted units         required to weigh-down the apparatus for use. (130). The user         may alternately use bricks, barbells, plates, or similar objects         of weight as long as they fit though the opening behind the at         least one access door. Alternately, the weighted material may be         pie slice-shaped weighted units configured to fit within the         cavity of the housing, removing the need for an access door as         shown in FIG. 4 .     -   5. Then, the user fills the interior of the housing with the         weighted units until the amount of weight disposed within the         housing reaches 180 to 300 pounds. (140)     -   6. Next, the user affixes an impact bag to the top portion of         the housing (if not already installed). (150)     -   7. Then, the user is free to train on the freestanding upright         impact bag. (160)     -   8. If desired, the user may affix an accessory, such as one or         more resistance bands, to the at least one mount disposed on the         exterior of the apparatus to facilitate the performance of         resistance-based exercises. (170)

It should be understood that some embodiments of the present invention may exhibit different shapes and sizes of housing (10). For example, a smaller embodiment may be manufactured which is tailored for use by youth. Additionally, it should be understood that the housing (10) of the present invention may be made available in an assortment of colors, textures, shapes, and patterns, and may be equipped with logos as desired. The housing (10) may exhibit a different shape, such as a hexagon, rhombus, or other stable shape. The housing (10) of the present invention is preferably fashioned of a high-density plastic which is durable for extended use, however alternate embodiments of the present invention may be fashioned of a lightweight metal such as aluminum or similar alloys. Further, it should be noted that the openings disposed behind the at least one access door (60) are preferably beveled and/or rounded to prevent sharp edges, preventing injury of the user when inserting or removing weighted units (70) from the interior (40) of the housing (10) of the present invention.

Further, it should be noted that some alternate embodiments of the housing (10) of the present invention may be configured to be segmented such that the housing (10) may be disassembled. In such embodiments, segments of the housing (10) are preferably weighted themselves, and are configured to interlock to one another to form the weighted base of the present invention. These embodiments may be modular such that more segments may be connected together in order to increase the overall weight of the apparatus.

Having illustrated the present invention, it should be understood that various adjustments and versions might be implemented without venturing away from the essence of the present invention. Further, it should be understood that the present invention is not solely limited to the invention as described in the embodiments above, but further comprises any and all embodiments within the scope of this application.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 

I claim:
 1. A modular weighted support apparatus for an upright impact bag comprising: a base, said base having an interior and an exterior; wherein said base has a top and a bottom; wherein said interior of said base is hollow; an access door, said access door disposed on said exterior of said base; weighted units, said weighted units removably disposed within said base, accessible via said access door; a central mount, said central mount disposed in a center of said top of said base; wherein said central mount is configured to accept a vertical support of the upright impact bag; wherein said central mount is configured to accept a vertical, columnar support of the upright impact bag; wherein said weighted units are configured to move within said interior of said hollow base; and wherein said base is made of a plastic polymer.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said bottom is circular.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said base is a housing configured to contain weights.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said weights are sand bags.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said weights are dumbbells.
 6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said weights are water bags.
 7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said weights weigh between 180 to 275 pounds total.
 8. (canceled)
 9. (canceled)
 10. A modular weighted support apparatus for an upright impact bag comprising: a base, said base having an interior and an exterior; wherein said base has a top and a bottom; wherein said interior of said base is hollow; an access door, said access door disposed on said exterior of said base; wherein said access door facilitates access to said interior of said base; weighted units, said weighted units removably disposed within said base, accessible via said access door; wherein said access door is affixed to said base via a hinge; a central mount, said central mount disposed in a center of said top of said base; wherein said central mount is configured to accept a vertical support of the upright impact bag; wherein said central mount is configured to accept a vertical, columnar support of the upright impact bag; wherein said weighted units are configured to move within said interior of said hollow base; and wherein said base is made of a plastic polymer.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said base is a housing configured to contain weights.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said weights are sand bags.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said weights are dumbbells.
 14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said weights are pie slice-shaped.
 15. A modular weighted support apparatus for an upright impact bag comprising: a base, said base having an interior and an exterior; wherein said base has a top and a bottom; wherein said interior of said base is hollow; an access door, said access door disposed on said exterior of said base; weighted units, said weighted units are bags filled with contents and configured to be removably disposed within said base, accessible via said access door; a central mount, said central mount disposed in a center of said top of said base; wherein said central mount is configured to accept a vertical, columnar support of the upright impact bag; wherein said base is made of a plastic polymer; wherein said contents of said weighted units are configured to remain in said bags in said base, behind said access door; and wherein said contents of said weighted units in said bags are configured to be removed from said base via said access door. 